Wheelchair construction

Abstract

A wheelchair capable of being constructed in several different sizes from components of standard size in order to permit users of different sizes and users with one or more handicaps to conveniently use such wheelchairs. In addition, the wheelchair is constructed with a frame and related components so that it is capable of being folded to a collapsed position for storage and transport and expanded for operation and use. The wheelchair is uniquely adapted for normal wheelchair operation and is highly effective for use in sports or athletic activities. Adjustability of both the front wheels and the rear wheels permits different riding and maneuverability characteristics for both normal in-use transport and sports activities.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent is: 
     
       1. A wheelchair which is foldable and collapsible for storage and transport and which is openable for use, said wheelchair comprising: (a) a pair of opposed first and second frame sections,   (b) a seat structure connected between said first and second frame sections and each capable of being juxtaposed relative to one another when the wheelchair is in the folded position,   (c) a first pair of spaced apart connecting rods with each pivotally connected to a lower portion of said first frame section at spaced apart locations between the front and rear of the wheelchair, said first pair of connecting rods also being connected to said seat structure at a pair of spaced apart points generally upwardly of the second frame section,   (d) a second pair of spaced apart connecting rods pivotally connected to a lower portion of said second frame section at spaced apart locations between the front and rear of the wheelchair, said second pair of connecting rods also being connected to said seat structure at a pair of points generally upwardly of said first frame section,   (e) first pivot means for pivotally connecting one of the first connecting rods to one of the second connecting rods intermediate their upper and lower ends,   (f) second pivot means for pivotally connecting the other rod of the first pair of connecting rods to the other rod of the second pair of connecting rods intermediate their upper and lower ends, whereby said frame sections can be shifted apart to the opened position for use and shifted together to the folded position,   (g) first telescoping connecting means located between said pairs of connecting rods between the front and rear of the wheelchair and operatively connecting a side of the seat structure above the first frame section to the first frame section, and   (h) a second telescoping connecting means located between said pairs of connecting rods between the front and rear of the wheelchair and operatively connecting a side of the seat structure above the second frame section to the second frame section.   
     
     
       2. The wheelchair of claim 1 further characterized in that only one telescoping connecting means connects the first frame sections to a side of the seat structure and which connecting means consists of the first telescoping connecting means, and only one second telescoping connecting means connects the second frame section to a side of the seat structure and which consists of the second telescoping connecting means. 
     
     
       3. The wheelchair of claim 2 further characterized in that said connecting rods have their upper ends connected to rigid members which also support and form part of said seat structure. 
     
     
       4. The wheelchair of claim 1 further characterized in that said seat structure is separate from and vertically moveable relative to said first and second frame sections. 
     
     
       5. The wheelchair of claim 4 further characterized in that said seat structure comprises: (1) a buttocks supporting section connected between the first and second frame sections and capable of being collapsed when the wheelchair is in the folded position and expanded when in the opened position, and   (2) a back supporting section connected between the first and second frame sections and capable of being collapsed when the wheelchair is in the folded position and expanded when in the opened position.   
     
     
       6. A wheelchair which is foldable and collapsible for storage and transport and which is openable for use, said wheelchair comprising: (a) a pair of opposed first and second frame sections,   (b) a seat structure connected between said first and second frame sections and each capable of being juxtaposed relative to one another when the wheelchair is in the folded position, (1) a buttocks supporting section connected between the first and second frame sections and capable of being collapsed when the wheelchair is in the folded position and expanded when in the opened position, and   (2) a back supporting section connected between the first and second frame sections and capable of being collapsed when the wheelchair is in the folded position and expanded when in the opened position,     (c) a first pair of spaced apart connecting rods with each having lower ends pivotally connected to a lower portion of said first frame section at spaced apart locations between the front and rear of the wheelchair, said first pair of connecting rods also having upper ends connected to said seat structure at a pair of spaced apart points generally upwardly of the second frame section,   (d) a second pair of spaced apart connecting rods having lower ends pivotally connected to a lower portion of said second frame section at spaced apart locations between the front and rear of the wheelchair, said second pair of connecting rods also having upper ends connected to said seat structure at a pair of points generally upwardly of said first frame section, said first and second pairs of connecting rods being spaced closely to one another relative to the overall length of said first and second frame sections, such that the lower ends of the first pair of connecting rods are closely spaced to one another and the upper ends of the first pair of connecting rods are closely spaced to one another and the lower ends of the second pair of connecting rods are closely spaced to one another and the upper ends of the second pair of connecting rods are closely spaced to one another, to thereby reduce diagonal flex and vertical flex and horizontal flex during opening and closing of said wheelchair and for providing support during use,   (e) first pivot means for pivotally connecting one of the first connecting rods to one of the second connecting rods intermediate their upper and lower ends, and   (f) second pivot means for pivotally connecting the other rod of the first pair of connecting rods to the other rod of the second pair of connecting rods intermediate their upper and lower ends, whereby said frame sections can be shifted apart to the opened position for use and shifted together to the folded position.   
     
     
       7. The wheelchair of claim 6 further characterized in that said wheelchair has a pair of rear wheels and a pair of front wheels, said pair of rear wheels are canted so that the lower edges are spaced outwardly relative to the wheelchair and the upperedges are spaced inwardly and closer toward the frame sections of said wheelchair. 
     
     
       8. The wheelchair of claim 7 further characterized in that separate bracket means is mounted on each of the first and second frame sections for mounting rear wheels thereto, each of said separate bracket means being canted so that the rear wheels mounted thereon are chambered so that the lower edges are spaced outwardly relative to the wheelchair and the upper edges are spaced inwardly and closer toward the frame sections of the wheelchair. 
     
     
       9. The wheelchair of claim 6 further characterized in that each of said frame sections is constructed essentially of tubular metal members. 
     
     
       10. The wheelchair of claim 6 further characterized in that each of said frame sections is constructed essentially of generally circularly shaped tubular metal members and generally rectangularly shaped tubular metal members. 
     
     
       11. The wheelchair of claim 6 further characterized in that each of said frame sections have generally upright front portions which have lower ends, and a foot support means is adapted to telescopically attach to said lower ends of said front portions. 
     
     
       12. The wheelchair of claim 11 further characterized in that each of said frame sections has generally upright back portions which have upper ends and said seat structure has generally vertically disposed members adapted to be telescopically attached to the upper ends of said back portions. 
     
     
       13. The wheelchair of claim 12 further characterized in that said foot support means has legs adapted to telescopically fit within lower ends of said front portions. 
     
     
       14. A wheelchair which is foldable and collapsible for storage and transport and which is openable for use, said wheelchair comprising: (a) a pair of opposed first and second frame sections capable of being shifted apart to an opened position and to a closed position where they lie in juxtaposed relationship,   (b) an upper frame structure with a first upper frame bar overlying and spaced from the first frame section and a second upper frame bar spaced from the first upper frame bar and overlying and spaced from the second frame section,   (c) a first pair of spaced apart connecting rods with each pivotally connected to a lower portion of said first frame section at spaced apart locations between the front and rear of the wheelchair, said first pair of connecting rods also being connected to said second upper frame bar of said upper frame structure at a pair of spaced apart points generally upwardly of the second frame section,   (d) a second pair of spaced apart connecting rods pivotally connected to a lower portion of said second frame section at spaced apart locations between the front and rear of the wheelchair, said second pair of connecting rods also being connected to said upper frame bar at a pair of points generally upwardly of said first frame section,   (e) first pivot means for pivotally connecting one of the first connecting rods to one of the second connecting rods intermediate their upper and lower ends,   (f) second pivot means for pivotally connecting the other rod of the first pair of connecting rods to the other rod of the second pair of connecting rods intermediate their upper and lower ends, whereby said frame sections can be shifted apart to the opened position for use and shifted together to the folded position,   (g) first telescopic connecting means extending between said first upper frame bar and said first frame section and so that said first upper frame bar is vertically shiftable relative to and independent of said first frame section when said wheelchair is folded and unfolded, said first telescopic connecting means being located intermediate the ones of said first connecting rods and second connecting rods which are pivotally connected by said first pivot means, and   (h) second telescopic connecting means extending between said second upper frame bar and said second frame section so that said upper frame bar is vertically shiftable relative to and independently of said second frame section when said wheelchair is folded and unfolded, said second telescopic connecting means being located intermediate other of said first connecting rods and other of said second connecting rods which are pivotally connected by said second pivot means.   
     
     
       15. The wheelchair of claim 14 further characterized in that said first connecting means comprises a post telescopically extending between said first upper frame bar and said first upper frame section. 
     
     
       16. The wheelchair of claim 15 further characterized in that said second telescopic connecting means comprises a post telescopically extending between said second upper frame bar and said second frame section. 
     
     
       17. The wheelchair of claim 16 further characterized in that said posts are telescopically located within upright tubular members on said first and second frame means and are connected respectively to said first and second upper frame bars. 
     
     
       18. A wheelchair which is foldable and collapsible for storage and transport and which is openable for use, said wheelchair comprising: (a) a pair of opposed first and second frame sections,   (b) a seat structure connected between said first and second frame sections and each capable of being juxtaposed relative to one another when the wheelchair is in the folded position, said seat structure having a first rigid member forming a part thereof and a second spaced apart rigid member forming a part thereof,   (c) a first pair of spaced apart connecting rods with each pivotally connected to a lower portion of said first frame section at spaced apart locations between the front and rear of the wheelchair, said first pair of connecting rods also being connected to said seat structure at a pair of spaced apart points generally upwardly of the second frame section,   (d) a second pair of spaced apart connecting rods pivotally connected to a lower portion of said second frame section at spaced apart locations between the front and rear of the wheelchair, said second pair of connecting rods also being connected to said seat structure at a pair of points generally upwardly of said first frame section,   (e) first pivot means for pivotally connecting one of the first connecting rods to one of the second connecting rods intermediate their upper and lower ends,   (f) second pivot means for pivotally connecting the other rod of the first pair of connecting rods to the other rod of the second pair of connecting rods intermediate their upper and lower ends, whereby said frame sections can be shifted apart to the opened position for use and shifted together to the folded position,   (g) first telescoping connecting means operatively connecting a side of the seat structure above the first frame section to the first frame section, said first telescopic connecting means comprising a T-shaped fitting having a generally horizontally disposed section operatively connected to said first rigid member forming part of said seat structure and a generally vertically disposed section which is telescopically shiftable, and   (h) a second telescoping connecting means operatively connecting a side of the seat structure above the second frame section to the second frame section, said second telescopic connecting means also comprising a T-shaped fitting having a generally horizontally disposed section operatively connected to said second rigid member forming part of said seat structure and a generally vertically disposed section which is telescopically shiftable.   
     
     
       19. The wheelchair of claim 18 further characterized in that said first and second telescoping connecting means being located between said pairs of connecting rods connected respectively by said first and said second pivot means. 
     
     
       20. The wheelchair of claim 19 further characterized in that only one telescoping connecting means connects the first frame sections to a side of the seat structure and which connecting means consists of the first telescoping connecting means, and only one second telescoping connecting means connects the second frame section to a side of the seat structure and which consists of the second telescoping connecting means. 
     
     
       21. The wheelchair of claim 18 further characterized in that said seat structure is separate from and vertically moveable relative to said first and second frame sections. 
     
     
       22. The wheelchair of claim 21 further characterized in that said seat structure comprises: (1) a buttocks supporting section connected between the first and second frame sections and capable of being collapsed when the wheelchair is in the folded position and expanded when in the opened position, and   (2) a back supporting section connected between the first and second frame sections and capable of being collapsed when the wheelchair is in the folded position and expanded when in the opened position.   
     
     
       23. A wheelchair which is foldable and collapsible for storage and transport and which is openable for use, said wheelchair comprising: (a) a pair of opposed first and second frame sections,   (b) a seat structure connected between said first and second frame sections and each capable of being juxtaposed relative to one another when the wheelchair is in the folded position, (1) a buttocks supporting section connected between the first and second frame sections and capable of being collapsed when the wheelchair is in the folded position and expanded when in the opened position, and   (2) a back supporting section connected between the first and second frame sections and capable of being collapsed when the wheelchair is in the folded position and expanded when in the opened position.     (c) a first pair of spaced apart connecting rods with each pivotally connected to a lower portion of said first frame section at spaced apart locations between the front and rear of the wheelchair, said first pair of connecting rods also being connected to said seat structure at a pair of spaced apart points generally upwardly of the second frame section,   (d) a second pair of spaced apart connecting rods pivotally connected to a lower portion of said second frame section at spaced apart locations between the front and rear of the wheelchair, said second pair of connecting rods also being connected to said seat structure at a pair of points generally upwardly of said first frame section, said first and second pairs of connecting rods being spaced closely to one another relative to the overall length of said first and second frame sections,   (e) first guide means on one side of said wheelchair operatively connecting said seat structure to said frame section and being located in closely spaced relation to the pivoted connection of said first pair of connecting rods to said seat structure,   (f) second guide means on the other side of said wheelchair operatively connecting said seat structure to said second frame section and being located in closely spaced relationship to the pivoted connection of said second pair of connecting rods to said seat structure,   (g) first pivot means for pivotally connecting one of the first connecting rods to one of the second connecting rods intermediate their upper and lower ends, and   (h) second pivot means for pivotally connecting the other rod of the first pair of connecting rods to the other rod of the second pair of connecting rods intermediate their upper and lower ends, whereby said frame sections can be shifted apart to the opened position for use and shifted together to the folded position.   
     
     
       24. The wheelchair of claim 23 further characterized in that said first guide means is a first telescopic connecting means comprising a T-shaped fitting having a generally horizontally disposed section operatively connected to a first rigid member forming part of said seat structure and a generally vertically disposed section which is telescopically shiftable, and said second guide means also comprising a T-shaped fitting having a generally horizontally disposed section operatively connected to a second rigid member forming part of said seat structure and a generally vertically disposed section which is telescopically shiftable. 
     
     
       25. The wheelchair of claim 23 further characterized in that said first guide means is a first telescopic connecting means located intermediate said pair of first and second connecting rods which are pivotally connected together, said second guide means is a second telescopic connecting means being located intermediate pairs of said first and second connecting rods which are pivotally connected together. 
     
     
       26. The wheelchair of claim 23 further characterized in that: (a) said first telescopic connecting means comprising a T-shaped fitting having a generally horizontally disposed section operatively connected to a first rigid member forming part of said seat structure and a generally vertically disposed section which is telescopically shiftable, said first telescopic connecting means also being located intermediate the ones of said first connecting rods and second connecting rods which are pivotally connected by said first pivot means and the other of the first and second connecting rods which are connected by said second pivot means,   (b) said second telescopic connected means also comprising a T-shaped fitting having a generally horizontally disposed section operatively connected to a second rigid member forming part of said seat structure and a generally vertically disposed section which is telescopically shiftable, said second telescopic connecting means being located intermediate the first and second connecting rods connected by the first pivot means and the other of said first connecting rods and other of said second connecting rods which are pivotally connected by said second pivot means.